The news hit them like an apple cart going over the normal speed. It left holes in their souls, and completely destroyed their spirits.

Everypony woke up as usual, and the autumn air blew through the town. But something didn't feel right. It felt... empty. Through the day, they went about their work, chatting and laughing. But the laughter was hollow. Then, that's when it happened. A shriek came from the edge of town, and ponies rushed to help. When they got there, they found a pony running towards them. It was a filly, and all she could get out was something about Fluttershy. She was crying, so they knew something was very wrong. When they got to the house, the door was open, and they could see lights broken. What was inside brought them to tears.

Fluttershy lay dead on the floor, her neck twisted at an odd angle. A small drop of blood sat by her mouth, but she had a smile on her face. Her animal friends sat in a corner, and looked at her body. Angel Bunny came up and poked her, but she wouldn't move. Angel started crying, and ran to get paper. When he came back, he gave the ponies a note.

She was helping get bear's paw unstuck, but force threw her to the wall, breaking bones. Just barely alive.

The mares in the group started crying, and the colts tried unsuccessfully to comfort them. But this was beyond comforting, and somepony would have to tell the other Elements. Nopony was looking forward to it.

:::

Twilight sat in her home, reading her favorite book, The Shadow Over Ponymouth, when she heard a knock on her door. She was annoyed, but being a princess came with responsibilities and demands. When she opened the door, however, she knew something was wrong. Nopony usually came to her with such sadness in their faces. The colt in front spoke up. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, we regret to inform you that the Element of Kindness, Fluttershy, is dying. Please come with us. And we'll need to tell the other Elemen-"

Twilight didn't hear anything after he'd said that Fluttershy was gone. The statement cut through her like a rusty scythe, and she couldn't control herself now. She grabbed the colt with her magic, and threw him down. "You're lying! She wouldn't just up and die! This is some sick joke, sir, and I have half a mind to report you for releasing false information to royalty!"

A mare from the back came up, and laid her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "It's true. Come see her, if you need proof. You're in denial, but just trust us."

Twilight stormed out of the house, the mare in her magical grasp. "She's at her cottage, your Highness."

"Shut up! I'm just Twilight to you, and stop lying!"

But when she reached the house, she knew something was wrong. The door was open, which wasn't normal for the shy mare, and her house, normally buzzing with noise from her animals, was deathly silent. She stepped inside, and her heart broke. On the floor lay her friend, the epitome of kindness. Her creatures were in the corner, silent and mourning. Twilight's eyes watered, and she knelt by Fluttershy's body. She heard a gasp, and saw Fluttershy's eye open.

"H-hello, Twilight."

Twilight sobbed and held Fluttershy's head. "What a-are you d-doing on the f-floor? Get u-up, your animals need y-you!"

Fluttershy smiled weakly. "It's okay, Twilight. I'm alright. I feel sleepy, so sleepy. Can you sing me a lullaby?"

Twilight nodded. "Hush now, quiet now, time t-to lay your s-sleepy head. Hush n-now, quiet now, t-time to go to b-bed..."

Fluttershy died in Twilight's arms, and she had a small smile on her face. Twilight brushed the mane out of Fluttershy's face, and curled up. The group of ponies stood back, watching. They had respect for the mares, and knew them to be close. But they knew Rainbow Dash would take it the hardest.

:::

Rainbow Dash was sitting in her home, reading the latest Daring Do book. She was just getting to the bit where Daring takes the Sapphire Statue, her favorite bit, when she heard a knock on her door. This was unusual, as Pegasi normally just flew by her window. When she opened the door, she was surprised by three Pegasus mares.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

She knew by their faces something was wrong. "Is everything okay?"

One of the mares spoke up. It was Spitfire herself. "Rainbow Dash, we regret to inform you of one Fluttershy's passing today. Twilight has been notified, as she is royalty, and she was there when she died-"

Rainbow bucked Spitfire in the chest, sending the mare sprawling on her back. Her wings got stuck under, her, but Rainbow was already on top of the mare. "Why didn't you inform me when she was alive?! You better have a bucking good explanation, or I'll send you over the edge!"

Spitfire looked in her eyes. "Twilight was royalty, she had to be informed first, so pull yourself together!"

Rainbow flopped onto the cloud, choking back tears. Spitfire dusted herself off, looking at the mare. She hurt for the prismatic Pegasus, but she didn't know Fluttershy well enough to be truly sad. All she felt was sympathy and a small amount of sorrow, but that was it. They left Rainbow there, crying on her doorstep.

:::

Applejack was bucking trees, and she was almost done. She wiped her brow, and took a small break. As she sat cooling her neck, she saw several ponies coming toward her, with somber expressions on their faces. She knew something was up before they even gave her the news. She fell to the ground, stunned. The tears came, and she curled up, not wanting to hear any more. The ponies looked at each other in acknowledgement, and went on their way to Rarity's residence. Even over by the gate they could still hear her cries.

:::

Rarity was having a bad day already. She had an order for ten dresses for Sapphire Shores' next concert, and they were all much too flamboyant. It was too much for the mare, so she sat down with a glass of hay smoothie. A knock sounded from the door, and she got up. Upon opening the door, she immediately became concerned. Two unicorn mares were standing there, faces set with sorrow.

"Hello there, anything I can do for you two?"

The second unicorn stepped forward. "Hello, Ms. Rarity. I'm Lyra Heartstrings. I am sorry to say, but the mare known as Fluttershy has passed away today."

Rarity gasped, taking one step back. "I'm quite sure you're mistaken. H-how?"

Lyra laid a hoof on Rarity's. "She was helping her bear, after his paw got stuck. The force of getting him unstuck sent her to the wall, breaking her ribs. She died in Princess Twilight's arms."

Rarity's eyes were watering, and tears were running freely down her face. "I-it can't be. It j-just can't b-be..."

She fell to the floor, crying. Mascara ran down her face, and the ponies knew what to do. As they left, they closed the blinds and windows, allowing the designer mare some privacy.

:::

Last was Pinkie Pie. The most cheerful, outgoing, and hyper of the Elements. And most likely the most delicate. Her mood swings were often violent, and she was prone to mental breakdowns. Celestia only knew how this one would take it. They trudged up to the door, and gave it a half-hearted knock. They heard singing, and the door flew open, revealing a pink, frizzy-maned mare. Pinkie Pie had a squeaky toy in her mouth, and dropped it.

"Hi there, what can Pinkie do for you? How about some of my new cupcakes, they're made fresh. Don't worry, they don't contain any sort of mea... I mean, dairy products at all!"

The ponies faces were sad, which in turn made Pinkie sad. "Why is everypony so depressed?"

Spitfire had recovered herself, and now stepped forward. "Ms. Pinkie Pie, we're sorry to say that earlier today-"

When she heard what happened, immediately she burst into tears. She fell backwards, and soon the floor was completely covered in liquid. One mare actually had to get an umbrella out. Spitfire looked at the party mare in pity, and walked away, the sobs fading into the air.

Author's Note

I wrote this because of the death of one of my friends. He was very sick, and wasn't eating much. He's away from his pain now, and I hope he sees me as a friend 'til the end. Before you offer support, because apparently people care, it's not necessary, though if you wish to offer it you may.